"I think you should seriously consider learning Miracle Power when the time comes."
Merus turned his head toward Gran.
"By the way, Gran, what was it you came looking for me about?"
Gran snapped out of his thoughts and was just about to ask about Universe 7's Mortal Level Index.
Suddenly...
Piccolo, who had been hiding in the distance, ran over.
"Greetings, Lord Gran. Greetings, Mr. Angel."
He respectfully bowed twice, his posture extremely cautious.
In truth, Piccolo had heard the entire conversation between Gran and Merus just now.
Much of it had gone over his head, but...
He had still learned one important thing.
Merus wasn't merely a Galactic Patrolman—he was an Angel, just like Whis!
No wonder he had dealt with Slug so effortlessly.
"What are you doing here?"
Gran narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
Merus was equally curious about the purpose of the figure who had been lurking in the shadows.
"Lord Gran, the Grand Elder once told me..."
Piccolo proceeded to recount his entire conversation with the Grand Elder.
After hearing everything, Gran and Merus exchanged a glance before shifting their attention toward Slug, who lay unconscious on the ground.
"Merus, can this really fix the flaw in his body?" Gran finally understood why Piccolo had come here.
"You know... it actually might."
Merus had already noticed the imperfection within Piccolo.
If another Super Namekian were assimilated into him, not only might he repair that flaw, but he could even achieve an entirely new breakthrough.
"Mr. Angel, could you allow me to assimilate Slug?"
Piccolo was being exceptionally bold today.
The two individuals before him were beings far beyond the level of gods.
Especially Merus—even the Gran whom Piccolo admired had lost to him.
Under normal circumstances, Piccolo would never dare make such a request to someone of this stature.
But he had no other choice.
Kami refused to fuse with him again.
That left Slug as his only option.
Yet Slug was currently in Merus' custody.
There was no chance Piccolo could defeat someone like Merus, much less snatch Slug away by force.
So he could only swallow his pride and plead.
He hoped that, for the sake of his acquaintance with Gran, this Angel might grant his wish.
"Allow you to assimilate him?"
Merus glanced at Gran, silently asking for his opinion.
Gran withdrew his gaze from Slug and looked directly at Piccolo.
As always, Piccolo wore his white cape.
His power level was currently around 3.6 million.
Then Gran looked into his eyes.
Fear... mixed with unwavering determination.
Gran could easily guess the source of that fear.
Without question, it was fear of Merus.
As for that determination...
There was no need to guess.
It was a thirst for power.
"Merus, what were you planning to do with Slug originally?" Gran asked.
"According to the judgment of Galactic Patrol Headquarters, Slug has been sentenced to life imprisonment."
"Life imprisonment?"
A faint smile appeared on Gran's lips.
"How is that any different from death?"
Hearing that, Merus rolled his eyes.
Meanwhile, Piccolo's entire body trembled with excitement.
He understood exactly what Gran meant.
Lord Gran was helping him!
"Lord Gran, thank—"
Piccolo immediately dropped to one knee, about to express his gratitude.
"I asked you once before why you wanted to become stronger."
Gran interrupted him and continued:
"Now I'm asking you again. Why do you still want to become stronger?"
Back when Vegeta's trio invaded Earth, Gran had trained both Piccolo and young Gohan for two months.
Before accepting Piccolo as a student, however, he had asked him the same question.
At the time, Piccolo's answer had been simple.
The first reason was to kill Son Goku.
The second was to protect Earth.
"Why do I still want to become stronger...?"
Piccolo fell into deep thought.
Beside them, Merus looked at Gran with a strange expression.
Gran was clearly willing to help others.
If that was the case, why not simply help them directly?
Why insist on asking such a question?
Then again...
Why become stronger?
It really was a fascinating question.
So Merus asked:
"Gran, you seem to love training more than anything. Then why do you want to become stronger?"
Gran immediately rolled his eyes.
"I'm the one asking the questions. Why are you turning it around on me?"
"In the path of cultivation," Merus said calmly, "conviction and willpower are often what support a person through the journey."
"Take the Saiyan named Son Goku, for example—the one whose battle you watched on Namek."
"His conviction is to protect his friends and loved ones."
"And it was precisely because his companions were killed that he shattered his limits and awakened as a Super Saiyan."
Merus smiled.
"So I'm curious as well. What exactly are your conviction and will?"
"..."
Gran fell silent for a moment.
Then a mischievous grin slowly spread across his face.
"Given our relationship, I don't mind telling you."
"But when I say it, you probably won't believe me."
"Go ahead," Merus replied with a shake of his head.
"I'll believe it."
Although Gran could be somewhat carefree at times, Merus had never considered him a liar.
Still...
What was with that grin?
Could his conviction really be that strange?
"Well then, here it comes."
Gran cleared his throat dramatically before flashing an even wider grin.
"The reason I want to become stronger..."
"...is because I want to punch Lord Beerus in the face and kick Lord Zeno's ass!"
The moment those words left his mouth—
BOOM!
A tidal wave erupted within Merus' heart.
Punch Beerus.
Kick Zeno.
That was his conviction and willpower?
This guy wasn't joking... was he?!
Zeno's Palace
"Hahahahaha!"
The Grand Priest suddenly burst into laughter.
"Grand Priest, why are you laughing?"
"My apologies, Lord Zeno."
"The conviction of that little fellow Gran is rather unusual. I couldn't help myself."
"Then make sure you hold it in next time."
"Otherwise I'll spank your butt."
"...Understood."
Aboard Slug's Starship
"See?"
Gran shrugged when he saw Merus' expression.
"I told you that you wouldn't believe me."
Truthfully, ever since arriving in the Dragon Ball world, Gran's martial conviction had never changed.
He had always wanted to punch Beerus and kick Zeno.
Whis and Beerus both knew this.
He genuinely wasn't lying.
"..."
Merus didn't respond.
At this moment, even he wasn't sure whether he should believe Gran or not.
Meanwhile, after hearing their conversation, Piccolo finally realized what Gran was doing.
This was a test of conviction and willpower.
"Lord Gran... Mr. Angel..."
Piccolo suddenly raised his head.
"I have four reasons."
"Four?"
Gran blinked in surprise.
Back then, Piccolo had only given two reasons.
Now there were four.
Although curious, Gran remained silent and allowed him to continue.
"The first reason..."
"I want to kill Son Goku!"
"The second..."
"I will never allow anyone to harm my Earth!"
The first two reasons had not changed in the slightest.
Gran continued listening.
END OF CHAPTER
Disciple of Beerus - MrBehringer's Secret
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